Right to try

A small biotech company called Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. is among the first companies considering selling an experimental therapy directly to patients under the “right to try” measure, signed into law late last month. And if the company moves forward, it may give its unproven therapy a price tag in the ballpark of $300,000, according to a recent report by Bloomberg, The law was pitched as a compassionate measure to allow patients with life-threatening illnesses easier access to experimental drugs. But the bill was controversial, with critics noting that the Food and Drug Administration already had a swift and lenient pathway for such patients to obtain experimental drugs. Critics also worried that the law would simply weaken the FDA and open vulnerable patients to unscrupulous companies that might try to peddle unproven—and potentially sham—therapies as profit-driven endeavors. In a feisty letter to the FDA, Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), who … [Read more...] about Under “right-to-try” law, therapy may go for $300K—with no proof it will work

A new law, signed by President Trump Wednesday, allows terminally ill patients easier access to experimental drugs. Eight-year-old Jordan McLinn celebrated the long-awaited moment by hugging the president. He has become the nationwide face of the "right to try" campaign as he battles Duchenne muscular dystrophy. But the bill is not without controversy. Opponents argue it's risky and doesn't give better access to drugs. Proponents, like Jordan and his mom, believe it could be lifesaving. As the president signed the bill into law, Jordan went in for a hug. He missed the first few times but, eventually, they embraced. It was a hug years in the making. Those with Jordan's genetic degenerative disease have an average life expectancy of about 25 years. "To see it just finally come to the finish line was just this huge accomplishment," Laura McLinn said. Jordan and his mother Laura have been at the forefront of the movement to pass the "right to try" bill, which allows the … [Read more...] about Despite skepticism, family behind “right to try” law hopeful it will save lives

President Donald Trump was surprised Tuesday when a young Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy patient Jordan McLinn hugged him after signing “Right to Try” legislation passed by Congress.McLinn and his parents joined the president for the signing ceremony for legislation that would allow terminally ill patients the right to seek drug treatments that have not been fully approved by the Food and Drug Administration. “Today I’m proud to keep another promise to the American people as I sign the Right to Try legislation into law,” Trump said. Scott Gottlieb, the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, attended the event, noting that it took 3-10 years for federal approval for drugs, a process that he was working to speed up. “This is the baby,” Trump said about the legislation praising members of Congress like Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-IN) for pushing the bill forward in the Senate. “He doesn’t … [Read more...] about Young Boy Hugs Donald Trump After He Signs ‘Right to Try’ Legislation

Morten Wendelbo is a lecturer at the Bush School of Government and Public Service and a research fellow at the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs at Texas A&M University; Timothy Callaghan is an assistant professor at Texas A&M University Health Science Center. After a year in which President Donald Trump devoted much of his health policy attention to efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, Mr. Trump used part of his State of the Union address in January to press Congress to focus attention in 2018 on a new health priority – the passage of "right to try" legislation. It passed, and the president is set to sign it today. Right to try legislation gives terminally ill patients the right to use experimental medications that have not yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. President Trump's push for the passage of right to try nationally builds on the efforts of the … [Read more...] about What is “right to try” and will it help terminally ill patients?

Last Updated May 23, 2018 2:12 PM EDT Morten Wendelbo is a lecturer at the Bush School of Government and Public Service and a research fellow at the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs at Texas A&M University; Timothy Callaghan is an assistant professor at Texas A&M University Health Science Center.After a year in which President Donald Trump devoted much of his health policy attention to efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, Mr. Trump used part of his State of the Union address in January to press Congress to focus attention in 2018 on a new health priority – the passage of "right to try" legislation. Now, four months later, legislation is on its way to the president's desk.Right to try legislation gives terminally ill patients the right to use experimental medications that have not yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. In 2017, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed HR 878, … [Read more...] about “Right to try” bill passes, but will it help terminally ill patients?